Be in Love with Life

BE editor mark

The “Amore” Issue! I love Love. I drive my daughters crazy with this notion. But it is true.

“The Rose” was the very first song I can recall memorizing. I learned it at a church camp in Colorado Springs the summer after completing 7th grade. At the base of the beautiful Rocky Mountains we spent hours singing this song, rehearsing for the performance we would give our families at the end of the camp. Ever since, I have been singing this song to myself when I cannot go to sleep — it has always proven more effective than counting sheep or singing “99 bottles of beer on the wall.”

Over and over again, I recite the words in my head until my eyes get heavy and my anxiety wanes, and off to dream land I go. To me, it describes the various forms of elusive love, which definitely seem the most common types these days (Yes 2020, I am referring to you …). However, it ends with the hope of something on the horizon. How befitting a time to reflect, with winter on the way out and spring in the near future.

You will find several love affairs among the pages of Bella this month. My personal favorite, and my own affair, is my beer-venture! I have fallen in love with the process, the culture, and the tasting of craft beer. It will be a years-long journey that started in high school in Golden, Colorado, with the Coors Brewery, and was resurrected at the Aiken Brewing Company, located next door to my Studio in downtown Aiken. Follow my monthly articles and weekly blogs to participate in my adventure!

In our centerfold, you will find the ADDA’s recommendations for showing your love this month — thee are some amazing specials from local businesses. Don’t forget to take a photo in front of the iconic “Love Is…” mural on Newberry Street. Artist Betsy Wilson-Mahoney’s painting graces Bella’s cover this month — a painting of the lovely Violet Jones standing in front of the mural. It depicts all of the love the people of Aiken poured into their city during the rise of the pandemic.

Artist Robert Campbell returns to Bella with his love for rhinos in Kim Cordell’s article about The Aiken Center for the Arts’ exhibit “Going … Going … Gone,” which features 3 artists who champion animal conservation. Robert’s passion for rhinos is unlike anything I have seen in art — it is truly a love affair witnessed in the brush marks that cross his canvasses and bring life to these amazing animals.

Whatever your Love, however you express it, may you be in Love this month. In Love with the little things, proud moments, new perspectives, acoustic music, fermented beverages, REALLY good food, and the people who pass in and out of your life.


“It’s the heart, afraid of breaking

That never learns to dance

It’s the dream, afraid of waking

That never takes the chance

It’s the one who won’t be taken

Who cannot seem to give

And the soul, afraid of dying

That never learns to live”

from “The Rose,” written by Amanda McBroom

Picture of Ladonna Armstrong

Ladonna Armstrong

Publisher of Aiken Bella Magazine.
Picture of Ladonna Armstrong

Ladonna Armstrong

Publisher of Aiken Bella Magazine.

In the know

Related Stories

The Grandma Mystique | Palmetto Bella

The Grandma Mystique

What is it? This Grandma Thing? I’d heard other women talk about how amazing it was to be a grandmother, and, when they talked about their grandchildren, they seemed completely, almost embarrassingly, smitten. I really didn’t think that would happen to me — until it did. But, how? Why? For one thing, grandmahood is the ultimate do-over. Even the best parents are only operating by trial and error, and the errors, unfortunately, have really loud voices. By the time we’re grandparents, however, we’ve garnered a bit of wisdom and perhaps some confidence as well. We see that, despite our many flaws and failures, we’ve managed to raise law-abiding citizens who

Read More »
Memorial Day | Palmetto Bella

Memorial Day

Marines in dress uniform lead the parade Senior citizens seek shelter in the shade Scouts march in step along with high school bands City officials greet the public in the reviewing stands. Just across the way among the flag-waving public stage Stands an old veteran, stooped and bearing the burden of age Suddenly he stands erect, his right hand raised in salute As Old Glory passes, he offers his valiant tribute. His left hand whisks away a tear from his eye as he recalls those to whom he never said “Goodbye.” From Flanders Field where the poppies grow To Arlington, its pristine white crosses row upon row From the flag

Read More »
Shooting Down Fear | Palmetto Bella

Shooting Down Fear

Fear of the unknown can be quite the compelling catalyst. It is easy to put a feeling on the top shelf, pushed as far back as it can go, in that out-of-the-way closet that is never opened. When it does arise, you quickly avert recognition of said feeling and wait for it to pass from your field of view. This is what the thought of holding a firearm was like for me. I was never really exposed to firearms growing up. My father hunted dove with his shotgun when I was younger. Until I moved out to go to college, the shotgun stayed zipped up in a bag, standing upright

Read More »
Whatcha Gonna Name the Baby? | Palmetto Bella

Whatcha Gonna Name the Baby?

If I had a quarter for every time I was asked this question, I could have paid for my child’s college education. Names are interesting. Southerners love to unearth the family Bible and hunt for names or find old church cemeteries and read tombstones. Charleston people like to use street names; I can make fun of Charlestonians since I am one. Meet my son Ashley Tradd Beufain Smith. Our daughter’s name will be Calhoun Vandeshorst Lockwood Ravenel. My high school bud, Dr. George Gratzick has a great suggestion for twin boys. He said to name one twin Heyward and the other Ulysses. Just yell “hey, you” when you forget which

Read More »